The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed for three weeks its verdict declaring Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh's election from Mavelikkara Lok Sabha constituency void.
The stay was granted subject to the condition that Mr. Suresh shall not participate in the voting in the Lok Sabha or meetings in the Parliamentary Committees. He shall not claim any salary or any other allowances.
Justice M. Sasidharan Nambiar granted stay to enable him to file an appeal in Supreme Court. The court on Monday set aside the election on a petition by defeated CPI candidate R.S. Anil and two voters.
ADVERTISEMENT
Addressing a press conference at the Ernakulam Press Club after getting the stay, Mr. Suresh alleged that certain vested interests within the Congress party were part of a conspiracy against him. The Congress party would not prefer losing a seat in the Parliament at a time when it does not enjoy a considerable majority in the house.
Mr. Suresh said that the Kerala High Court had not given due importance to the caste certificate that he had submitted before, as a proof of his Scheduled Caste status.